What To Wear to Church: 5 Things Women Need To Know

Don’t stress about what to wear to church. Here are five things you need to know, including the most important one.

This post was updated on Oct. 7, 2023.

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One of the things I love about my Catholic church in a Southern California beach town is that people feel comfortable attending as they are.

There’s the sweet older couple who always match the husband’s shirt to the wife’s dress. There’s my daughter who wears the same dress every week even though she has many options in her closet. And there are the young women who wear mantillas over their heads and shoulders.

But while I do believe women should dress respectfully for church, I also don’t want their clothing options to keep them from attending.

So in this post, we’ll discuss how to dress for church in a way that’s both appropriate and comfortable for you.

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5 Things Women Need to Know

Here are five tips about what to wear for church.

1. Show Up

A year ago, I never would’ve worn athletic clothing to church. But that’s exactly what I’ve done the last two Fridays I’ve been off work and able to attend my kids’ school Mass.

I’ve gained enough weight recently that not much fits and by the end of the week, my only nice clothes are in the dirty laundry. So when it came down to me wearing joggers and a sweatshirt or not going at all, I chose to show up.

2. Dress Modestly

When deciding what to wear to church, women should choose outfits that are modest, respectful, and tasteful.

If you are participating in the service, you may want to dress up more than you would as a regular parishioner or guest.

What You Should Wear:

• Dresses, skirts, or dressy shorts that hit mid-thigh or longer
• Tops with a tasteful neckline
• Tops and dresses with sleeves or a sweater/shawl that covers your shoulders*
• Nice pants
• Dressy jeans
• Dressy shoes and sandals

*This is more important for a Catholic church, although it greatly depends on the church and the priest. I’m comfortable wearing sleeveless tops to our church, but nothing that shows more of my shoulders.

What You Shouldn’t Wear:

• Short dresses, skirts, or shorts
• Ripped or frayed clothing
• Very tight clothing
• Revealing tops
• Sheer clothing
• Spaghetti straps or other necklines/straps that show a lot of skin
• Midriff-baring tops

3. Wear Understated Clothing and Accessories

Your church attire shouldn’t be distracting for the rest of the parishioners. People are there to focus on prayer and worship.

4. Dress Comfortably

You want to wear clothes that are comfortable so you can focus on the service and prayer. Don’t wear pants that are too tight to sit in, or heels that are too high to stand in.

5. Dress For the Season and the Weather

Part of dressing comfortably is choosing fabrics for the weather.

In the spring and summer, choose lightweight materials like linen and cotton. In the fall and winter, warmer fabrics like wool, cashmere, and ponte knits are great options.

And don’t forget your layers. Bring along a jacket or sweater because churches can be cold, even during the summer. And you may need to remove layers during the winter if the church is too warm.

When In Doubt

When in doubt, dress up for church. It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.

And you should know that what’s considered appropriate church clothing will vary widely depending on the church and location. Even parishes within the same denomination have varying levels of formality.

But choosing a church outfit that’s dressy casual is a safe bet for most churches.

Women’s Church Outfit Ideas

Here are some appropriate clothing options to wear to church.

Final Thoughts on What To Wear to Church

While you should dress respectfully for church, the most important thing is that you show up.

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